answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A circuit breaker can be magnetic; the higher the current is the stronger the magnetic field will be, if the magnetic field gets strong enough it will pull open the circuit.

A circuit breaker can also be thermal; as current travels through the circuit heat is generated (higher current = more heat), in the breaker there is two different kinds of metal bonded together, each will expand and contract at different rates, since they are bonded together they will bend and trip the circuit open.

A circuit breaker can be a combination of magnetic and thermal.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Both work on the principal of overheating a circuit caused by an overload or short. When a circuit is overheated because of to many amps being used on the circuit or a short, a fuse has a thin wire which gets very hot an pops (separates) the circuit and everything turns off. A circuit breaker when overheated has a switch that trips disconnecting the circuit. Unlike the fuse, which is replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset.

Note: Before you can use the circuit, the problem that caused the fuse to pop or the breaker to trip must be solved. You may have to go through many fuses before it is found. Start by unplugging a electrical devices on the circuit.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

A circuit breaker is better than fuse for two reasons. One it can be reset and used again and two the breaker also protects against overloads as well as short circuits faults.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Because circuit breakers can be reset and they also stop overloads and short circuit faults :)

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How does a circuit breaker operate?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Do you have a circuit breaker which operates for one millon volts?

Circuit breakers operate on current not voltage.


What is a Circuit breaker and explain type circuit breakers?

A circuit breaker is a switching device which can make,brake and carrying (or trip the circuit) that specified over currents for a small interval of time . There is a different types of Circuit Breaker's are there 1.According to their arc quenching media these are divided into 4 types a) Oil circuit breaker b) Air blast circuit breaker c) SF6 circuit breaker d) vacuum circuit breaker 2. According to their services the circuit breaker can be divided as a) Outdoor Circuit Breaker b) Indoor Breaker 3. According to the operating mechanism of circuit breaker they can be divided as a) Spring operated Circuit Breaker b) Pneumatic Circuit Breaker c) Hydrolic Circuit Breaker 4. According to the voltage level of installation these are divided into 3 types a) High Voltage Circuit Breaker b) Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker c) Low Voltage Circuit Breaker.


What are the differences between a Miniature Circuit Breaker and normal Circuit Breaker?

An air circuit breaker, or air-blast circuit breaker, is a type of circuit breaker used in high-voltage transmission/distribution systems. It uses compressed air to (a) operate its tripping mechanism, and (b) to extinguish the arc created by a fault current. A miniature circuit breaker is a type of circuit breaker used in low-voltage applications, such as the protection of lighting and power circuits in a domestic residence. It uses a spring to operate its tripping mechanism, and relies on the speed of operation to extinguish the arc created by a fault current. Apart from the fact they are both designed to interrupt a fault current, there is really no other similarity.


Short circuit bar on the railway?

What is the question? Assuming you're talking about short circuiting the live circuit, as soon as a phase to ground fault occurs protection will operate, opening a circuit breaker.


How can a breaker work on 60Hz and 50 Hz supplies?

A circuit breaker is like an automatic switch, designed to break a circuit if the current flowing (measured in amps) exceeds a predetermined maximum amount. The frequency at which the alternating current is changing is not relevant provided it is the normal one for which the circuit breaker has been designed to operate. In USA, Canada and other countries using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 60 Hz. In Europe and other world areas using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 50 Hz. A circuit breaker designed for use on 50 Hz or 60 Hz supplies should not be used to protect a circuit in a ship or aircraft running on a 400 Hz supply because its magnetic and capacitive components may not operate correctly. For such applications a circuit breaker designed to operate at 400 Hz must be used.

Related questions

Do you have a circuit breaker which operates for one millon volts?

Circuit breakers operate on current not voltage.


What is the difference of a Circuit Breaker from an Air Circuit breaker?

They are completely different. A moulded-case circuit breaker is a low- or medium-voltage device, whereas an air circuit breaker is a very large circuit breaker designed for use in high-voltage transmission/distribution substations.


What is a Circuit breaker and explain type circuit breakers?

A circuit breaker is a switching device which can make,brake and carrying (or trip the circuit) that specified over currents for a small interval of time . There is a different types of Circuit Breaker's are there 1.According to their arc quenching media these are divided into 4 types a) Oil circuit breaker b) Air blast circuit breaker c) SF6 circuit breaker d) vacuum circuit breaker 2. According to their services the circuit breaker can be divided as a) Outdoor Circuit Breaker b) Indoor Breaker 3. According to the operating mechanism of circuit breaker they can be divided as a) Spring operated Circuit Breaker b) Pneumatic Circuit Breaker c) Hydrolic Circuit Breaker 4. According to the voltage level of installation these are divided into 3 types a) High Voltage Circuit Breaker b) Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker c) Low Voltage Circuit Breaker.


What circuit breakers can you use in your load center and why?

Usually the load center and the breaker have to be of the same manufacturer to operate correctly.


How does a thermal overload control a circuit when the phase short to ground?

If you are describing a circuit breaker then its electromagnetic trip component will operate in the event of a line*-to-ground (*not 'phase'!) short circuit. The thermal overload component will only operate in the event of a sustained overload.


Is the circuit where is the is the circuit where is the circuit breaker for the?

The circuit breaker for the headlights is intergrated with the headlight switch.


What are the differences between a Miniature Circuit Breaker and normal Circuit Breaker?

An air circuit breaker, or air-blast circuit breaker, is a type of circuit breaker used in high-voltage transmission/distribution systems. It uses compressed air to (a) operate its tripping mechanism, and (b) to extinguish the arc created by a fault current. A miniature circuit breaker is a type of circuit breaker used in low-voltage applications, such as the protection of lighting and power circuits in a domestic residence. It uses a spring to operate its tripping mechanism, and relies on the speed of operation to extinguish the arc created by a fault current. Apart from the fact they are both designed to interrupt a fault current, there is really no other similarity.


Short circuit bar on the railway?

What is the question? Assuming you're talking about short circuiting the live circuit, as soon as a phase to ground fault occurs protection will operate, opening a circuit breaker.


What is circuit breaker handling trolley?

handling the circuit breaker


How can a breaker work on 60Hz and 50 Hz supplies?

A circuit breaker is like an automatic switch, designed to break a circuit if the current flowing (measured in amps) exceeds a predetermined maximum amount. The frequency at which the alternating current is changing is not relevant provided it is the normal one for which the circuit breaker has been designed to operate. In USA, Canada and other countries using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 60 Hz. In Europe and other world areas using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 50 Hz. A circuit breaker designed for use on 50 Hz or 60 Hz supplies should not be used to protect a circuit in a ship or aircraft running on a 400 Hz supply because its magnetic and capacitive components may not operate correctly. For such applications a circuit breaker designed to operate at 400 Hz must be used.


Is there an error if the upstream circuit breaker is 16A TP and the downstream circuit breaker is 16A TPN?

is there an error if the upstream circuit breaker is 16A TP and the downstream circuit breaker is 16A TPN?


What happens when the circuit is complete and the switches are closed?

*Look at the simple circuit illustrated in Figure A-2. What will happen when only switch S1 is closed? Correct Answer= "Nothing will happen-the light bulb won't light up." <<>> If there is a load in the circuit the load will operate. If there is no load in the circuit and it is complete then a short circuit will occur and something in the circuit will burn open. If the circuit is complete and there is a fuse or breaker in the circuit, then the fuse or breaker will open the circuit.